Chevrolet made a splash when it announced the 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss. Although the Trail Boss features a two-inch suspension lift and all-terrain tires installed at the factory, it retains the same EPA-estimated fuel range of 478 miles as the more road-oriented LT version. That alone made it one of the longest-range electric vehicles in the U.S. market. However, how does this all-wheel-drive electric pickup perform in the real world on the highway?
With the help of an elaborate range test performed by Out of Spec Testing at 70 mph, we can now answer this question clearly: The Silverado EV Trail Boss is not only living up to expectations but is exceeding them significantly.
Highway Testing the Trail Boss
The test started with the 205-kWh battery pack of the Silverado fully charged. Tire pressures were adjusted to manufacturer specifications, and the cabin temperature was maintained at 68 to 72 degrees. Paperwise, the truck was predicted to have 463 miles of range.
The truck ate through its energy predictably at 71 mph (70 mph verified by GPS):
At 25% battery charge (75 percent SoC remaining): 106 miles traveled.
At 50% SoC: 211 miles travelled, efficiency was 2.1 miles/kWh.
Efficiency dropped a little to 2 miles/kWh at 25% SoC: 311 miles total.
They had 30 miles of range left at 7% SoC: the first warning was issued about plugging in.
Despite weighing over 8,000 pounds and rolling on 35-inch Goodyear all-terrain tires, the Silverado EV maintained impressive consistency at highway speed.
What Happens at 0% Battery?
Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the test was the Silverado EV’s behaviour at 0% state of charge.
Initially, Turtle Mode only slowed down certain features like cruise control, but the truck retained a speed of 70 mph. The Trail Boss kept on going, even after the system limited the amount of power it could produce.
Eventually, the Silverado EV travelled an incredible 50 miles past 0% and was only stopped when it could no longer accelerate to highway speeds. When it was finally over, the truck had recorded 454 miles in more than seven hours, and this was just 24 miles less than the official EPA rating, despite the worst real-world conditions.
Range Confidence in the Real World
This extra buffer after ‘empty’ is not just a nice party trick. It offers tranquility to the drivers in stressful conditions, where there are limited charging stations. It is not common to have an off-road-oriented and large truck perform such a buffer, and it speaks ill of the conservative way GM calibrated the range meter of the Silverado.
The Trail Boss has the potential to substantially outperform its EPA rating in day-to-day use, when dealing with city driving and regenerative braking are involved. That is good news to any driver who requires an EV more than just for laboratory work, but also on the road.
